144 | Candide Thovex

Back in March of 2009, a video showcasing the jaw-dropping talents of Candide Thovex executed with ease went viral in the skiing community. Not much has been revealed about the Candide Kamera Project since then, but there's not too many videos under six minutes that will get you as amped for the new season.

Be sure not to blink.

HQ CandideKamera | New Video Seasons of Candide Thovex

143 | 2nd Annual CAIC Benefit Bash | Saturday, November 14, 2009

Given the huge success of last year's inaugural benefit to help raise money for the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (or CAIC for short), Aaron Carlson and Joe Vandal are teaming up with an impressive list of sponsors, and I'm very honored to again be a part of what we all hope will be a cornerstone event for many years to come. So please mark your calendar for Saturday, November 14, 2009 and take part in something wonderful. If you cannot attend but wish to help out, please visit the CAIC website and make a donation no matter how big or small.


Click here to view the image below in larger size.

142 | Eldorado Canyon State Park, Colorado

Over the weekend, I made my first visit to Eldorado Canyon which is world-famous for being an intimate home to more than five-hundred technical rock climbing routes. While not as well-known, the views aren't all that bad either along the 3.6-mile trail that gains 1,200 feet above the 6,000-foot trailhead. This was a monumental trip in small proportions given that Birmingham's previous longest adventure to date in his five-month existence had been a two-mile hike with minimal elevation gain.

Please click here to view the complete gallery.

141 | The Return of Winter: First Snowfall in Colorado

Exactly four weeks from today, Loveland and Arapahoe Basin will be jockeying for position over which will be able to claim this year's title of the first North American ski area to open for the 2009/2010 season. Long been a tradition, last year saw both locales share the distinction on October 15, 2008 with plenty of Front Range cubicle junkies taking the morning off for office bragging rights. Anticipation for the WROD (short for white ribbon of death) grows anxiously once summer ends, and this feeling is even more exaggerated by the first white caps of the new season. Below are a couple photos from my buddy Chad depicting the scenery in Park and Summit Counties, just southwest of Loveland and A-Basin.


Mount Bross (14,172 feet)and Mount Lincoln (14,286) in the Mosquito Range:





Quandary Peak (14,265) in the Tenmile Range:

140 | Four-Wheeling in Holy Cross City, CO

Three weeks ago, I got my first taste of redneck life and went four-wheeling near Holy Cross City, CO (a ghost town) with my buddy Eric. Going into the trip, we knew that this trail would be difficult, but it sure was pretty overwhelming and took some time before the nerves calmed. Within the first few hundred yards, Eric made it his sole profession in life to bring my face within inches from the ground. Delighted of course, he phoned in to Ben on the CB, "Had to show Tom some rock."

Click here to view the complete gallery.


Here's Eric getting things started:




After an hour or so, we found ourselves at the infamous French Creek which is one of the more difficult obstacles on this trail (along with Cleveland Rock which we didn't attempt). Here's Ben trying and failing:




Fifteen minutes later, he finally scaled the challenge with the help of winching. Next was Eric who scaled the creek in under two minutes. To give perspective, there were 30+ rigs out that day and no one else (outside of one professionally-assembled jeep) came without five minutes.




Later on, we reached Holy Cross City and I somehow convinced my partner to climb up this mound:




Not exactly the brightest move:




Luckily, the truck didn't roll over and we're soon on our way to the ghost town:








A proud man and his truck:




Having never been wheeling and never driven a manual, I jumped into the driver's seat and got a good taste of redneck fun:






Gotta start 'em young!




On the way down, it was a total shitshow at French Creek. There were just too many vehicles out with far too little drivers knowing exactly what to do or how to handle their rigs. I present exhibits A through C:








Thankfully, this guy knew what he was doing, although he was sporting professional grade tires that are not available to the public (BFG Red Label Krawlers for those keeping score at home):









Until next time ...